What is a coaching micro group? The Coaching Micro Group (CMG) is not a course per se, but a guided introduction to the GDI approach to reproducible disciple making.
A Coaching Micro Group (CMG) consists of 3 or 4 Pastors and an experienced Micro Group facilitator. Using Discipleship Essentials as the curriculum, the group meets weekly for an hour and a half and journeys together, life-on-life, through the lessons. The purpose of the CMG is to allow participants to experience disciple making in an environment that has consistently allowed for abundant and accelerated spiritual growth while simultaneously preparing participants to lead a Micro Group of their own. Consequently, GDI Micro Group facilitators conduct CMG’s in the same way they would any Micro Group. The CMG continues to meet until the members have a good understanding of key aspects of disciple making within the Micro Group setting.
Once CMG members are sufficiently prepared, they then start Micro Groups of their own. CMG participants then meet monthly for mutual support, encouragement and problem solving. When Pastors move into their second or third generation of Micro Groups would be an appropriate time to consider joining an Online Cohort.
Why does GDI host coaching micro groups? Our experience at GDI tells us that when people launch groups without properly knowing how to do it or what to expect, they generally end in failure. We are trying to avoid the most common mistake people make, which is to attempt to launch multiple groups to get as many participants as possible all at once. This pursuit of Instant success will lead in short order to great disappointment. Then when it comes time to form micro groups properly, you will hear the refrain, “We have already tried that and it didn’t work.” We want you to be able to skip this misstep by carefully forming and launching a group out of the practice and guided experience of a micro group.
Who should participate in a coaching micro group experience? Pastors and church leaders who are desirous of making reproducing disciples via micro groups are the key participants. You are convinced that the mission of the Great Commission is to MAKE DISCIPLES who will in turn MAKE DISCIPLES. You think that perhaps this micro group approach has promise but you are not exactly sure how it all works. You would like to experience it before buying in to the approach for your church.
How does it work? You will join three others with a coach for a weekly online experience of group life. If you are familiar with the small group language of turbo group, then you will have the basic concept. These groups give you enough of a taste so that you can in short order (approximately 8-12 sessions), be able to initiate your own group in your church. In addition, this will be a first step in a much longer journey of growing reproducing micro groups that have the potential of transforming your church into a disciple making community.
What will be required of me as a participant in a coaching micro group?
1. As a participant in a Coaching Micro Group (CMG), I will:
A. Read Transforming Discipleship by Greg Ogden, prior to the launch of the CMG In the first couple of online sessions, you will discuss the critical distinctives of this proposed approach to making reproducing disciples.
B. Meet with your group weekly on line for approximately 90 minutes for between 8-12 sessions.
C. Prior to the group meeting, complete the designated lesson in Discipleship Essentials and be prepared to interact over its content.
D. Interact personally over guided sharing experiences as a way to deepen the highly relational nature of these groups.
E. Practice leading the group for at least two sessions after the coach has modeled an approach that could be replicated or adapted.
F. Form your own micro group if you have become convinced of the value of the micro group for transformation and multiplication of disciples of Jesus.
2. Guide to the Content of Each Session of the CMG
Each session attempts to balance the engagement with biblical content and building a trusting and transparent relational setting. Why is sharing our life with each other so central to being transformed into Christlikeness?
Here is a suggested guide to both content to cover and a way to foster relationships:
Session 1: Content: Discuss the critical distinctives of the micro group approach as outlined in Transforming Discipleship. Assignment: As you read Transforming Discipleship, take notes on the critical insights you are discovering and be ready to share your top three as discussion starters.
Sharing: History Giving is a gentle and safe way to start to get to know each other:
1. Origin: where were your born and grow up? What was life like in your home at that time?
2. Tell us about your family of origin:
a. Siblings? Birth order?
b. What kind of work did your father and mother do?
c. Do you have a favorite memory growing up?
d. When your family was having fun, what did you do?
3. Do you have an interest or hobby you pursue in your spare time? What? Tell us about it.
4. How did you come to choose your profession? [i.e. how did you come to be a pastor?]
5. If married, how did you meet your spouse? Was there a funny story that happened during your courtship?
Session 2: Review introductory pages ix-xvi in Discipleship Essentials with particular focus on the formation of a micro group covenant. Also review pages 222-225 in the “Leader’s Guide”. You will be asked to articulate what you consider are the distinctives of a micro group. Review the steps to be taken to form a micro group. How does this approach differ from other small group experiences you have had?
Sharing: Current Circumstances:
1. What is your current ministry focus or setting? What role(s) do you play?
2. Why was this CMG attractive to you? What do you hope to get from it?
3. What in your ministry gives you the greatest satisfaction or joy?
4. What ministry challenge is most on your mind?
Sessions 3-10: Complete the assigned lesson in Discipleship Essentials [including learning the memory verse(s)] and be prepared to share your insights in the guided discussion. The coach will lead the first session as a model for how to cover the biblical content of the assigned lesson as well provide a guided sharing experience to develop deeper relationships. [See below a suggested pattern for getting more deeply acquainted.]
The rest of the sessions will be led by members of the CMG in order to practice leadership or even better facilitation.
Sharing: Sessions 3-6: Faith Journey Stories:
Reserve a block of time (15 minutes) for each of the participants in each of the next 4 sessions to share their faith journey story.
1. What was the spiritual or religious focus of your home growing up?
2. What caused you to consider Christ?
3. Think of a time when you were closest to God. Tell us about that. Think of a time when you were furthest away from God. Tell us about that.
4. Who was a person or persons who were most influential in shaping your faith? What was it about them that impacted you?
5. What are your deepest desires now that you have for your relationship with Christ?
Sessions 7-10: Start or conclude each session with these general sharing questions. Ask each person to choose the one that seems most relevant to them at the moment.
1. For what do you have to give thanks for this week?
2. What made this week difficult?
3. Where did you see God at work this week?
4. What makes it difficult to be fully present right now?
In addition, it is suggested that you keep a journal of prayer requests so that you can continue to follow up on the concerns on the hearts of the people.
Session 11-12: Prepare to launch your own micro groups in your churches also discuss the vision of how a multiplying micro group could impact the disciple making culture of your church.
1. For what do you have to give thanks for this week?
2. What made this week difficult?
3. Where did you see God at work this week?
4. What makes it difficult to be fully present right now?
For more information contact Dave Schanuel, GDI National Director, USA, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
